Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen is a Nigerian film director, producer and screenwriter known for popular Nollywood productions such as Issakaba, The Last Burial, Games Men Play, Adesuwa and Invasion 1897. Popularly called D’Guvnor, he has spent decades directing films across different genres, from action and drama to historical stories rooted in Nigerian culture.
Imasuen began working in television and film production before establishing himself as a commercial filmmaker in the 1990s. His breakthrough came through projects that attracted large audiences during Nollywood’s home-video era, particularly The Last Burial and the Issakaba franchise.
More than two decades after the original Issakaba, Imasuen is returning to the franchise with Issakaba: The Return, scheduled to open in Nigerian cinemas on November 13, 2026. The new film connects one of his best-known productions with his continuing work as a filmmaker.
Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s Early Life and Education
Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, where he developed an academic foundation in performance and stage production.
His interest in filmmaking began before his professional career took shape. He has spoken about developing an interest in the production side of entertainment as a young boy, an experience that influenced his decision to pursue work behind the camera.
After his university education, Imasuen worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). His early television experience exposed him to established Nigerian production professionals and gave him practical knowledge of directing, production coordination and television drama.
He later moved into commercial filmmaking, beginning a career that would make him one of the familiar directors of Nollywood’s early home-video period.
How Lancelot Imasuen Started His Directing Career
Imasuen’s professional experience behind the camera began before his first commercial film. He worked as a production assistant and gained experience in television production, including work connected with established NTA programmes.
He also directed Evangel Theatre, a drama programme produced in Benin City. The experience gave him an opportunity to lead performers and develop his directing skills before entering the commercial film industry.
In 1995, he directed Adaku, an Igbo-language film that marked the beginning of his commercial filmmaking career. Although Imasuen is from Edo State, he accepted the opportunity to direct a production in a language different from his own. This early experience reflected the range of stories and cultural settings he would explore throughout his career.
His subsequent projects helped establish him as a director capable of working across languages, genres and production environments.
The Last Burial and Lancelot Imasuen’s Breakthrough
The Last Burial, released in 2000, became one of the important films in Imasuen’s early career. The production strengthened his reputation during a period when Nigerian home-video films were reaching large audiences across the country and beyond.
The film helped establish his position as a director who could combine suspense, drama and popular entertainment. Its success also preceded the production that would become one of the most recognisable titles associated with his name.
Issakaba: The Film That Defined His Career
Imasuen directed Issakaba, the action film franchise that became one of his most recognised contributions to Nollywood. Released in 2001, the original production drew inspiration from the activities of the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante group associated with efforts to confront armed robbery in southeastern Nigeria.
The story follows Ebube, played by Sam Dede, and the Issakaba Boys as they confront criminals terrorising their community. The film combined action, traditional beliefs, crime and supernatural elements, creating a distinctive approach to Nigerian action storytelling.
Issakaba attracted attention because it connected its fictional conflict with public concerns about insecurity and community protection. Its characters and action sequences became familiar to audiences during the home-video era.
The franchise also helped establish Imasuen’s reputation as a director of action films. Its continued recognition led him to revisit the story more than two decades after the original release.
Lancelot Imasuen Movies and Other Directing Projects
Beyond Issakaba, Imasuen has directed films across several genres. His filmography includes romantic dramas, crime stories, historical productions and social narratives.
Some of his notable directing credits include:
- The Last Burial (2000)
- Issakaba (2001)
- Private Sin (2003)
- Enslaved (2004)
- Moment of Truth (2005)
- Games Men Play (2006)
- Yahoo Millionaire (2007)
- Sister’s Love (2008)
- Home in Exile (2010)
- Bent Arrows (2010)
- Adesuwa (2012)
- Invasion 1897 (2014)
- ABCs of Death 2: L Is for Legacy (2014)
- Rant Queens (2019)
- Enakhe (2020)
- Gbege (2022)
These productions demonstrate his involvement in different areas of Nollywood storytelling. He has worked with established performers and emerging actors, while also moving between cinema releases, television and independent productions.
Invasion 1897 and His Interest in Nigerian History
One of Imasuen’s significant projects outside the Issakaba franchise is Invasion 1897, a historical film centred on the British invasion of the Benin Kingdom.
The film explores the events surrounding the 1897 British military expedition against Benin and the removal of the kingdom’s royal treasures. It brings attention to a defining episode in Edo history and examines its consequences for the Benin Kingdom.
The project reflects Imasuen’s interest in using filmmaking to explore Nigerian history and cultural heritage. His connection to Edo culture has also influenced projects that promote the Benin language and local traditions.
Other productions, including Adesuwa and Ebuwa, form part of his interest in stories connected to Nigerian identity and history.
Lancelot Imasuen’s International Film Experience
Imasuen’s work has also received international exposure. He directed the segment titled L Is for Legacy in the 2014 horror anthology ABCs of Death 2, which brought together filmmakers from different countries.
He also featured in Nollywood Babylon, a Canadian documentary directed by Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal. The documentary followed his filmmaking activities while he worked on Bent Arrows and offered international audiences a look at the production process within Nollywood.
The documentary screened at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, introducing viewers to the scale and working conditions of Nigeria’s film industry through the experience of an active director.
Issakaba: The Return and His Continuing Career
In 2026, Imasuen is bringing the Issakaba story back to Nigerian cinemas with Issakaba: The Return. The sequel is scheduled for nationwide cinema release on November 13, 2026.
He returns as director and co-producer, while Sam Dede reprises his role as Ebube. The story takes place 25 years after the original film and follows the return of the character as a new wave of crime and insecurity threatens the community.
The production features a combination of familiar Nollywood performers and newer faces, including Chidi Mokeme, Iyabo Ojo, Regina Daniels, Alex Osifo, Charles Okafor, Nosa Rex and Mark Angel.
For Imasuen, returning to Issakaba means revisiting a production that played a major role in establishing his name. The new film also provides an opportunity to examine the social concerns behind the original story in a different period.
Lancelot Imasuen’s Career Recognition
Imasuen marked 30 years of commercial filmmaking in 2025. The milestone reflected his long involvement in Nollywood, from the industry’s home-video expansion to its development across cinema, television and international platforms.
He also launched his memoir, A Trip in Motion, in November 2025. The book documents his experiences and reflections from his years in filmmaking.
His career has attracted recognition from Nigerian and international film organisations. Among his honours are a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Best of Nollywood Awards and the Pillar of African Stories recognition at the 2025 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Beyond directing, Imasuen has invested in developing younger filmmakers. He founded the Benin Film Academy and the International Student Film Festival, reflecting his interest in training and supporting the next generation of film professionals.
Conclusion
Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen has built a long career through directing, producing and screenwriting. From his early television experience and commercial film debut with Adaku to the success of The Last Burial and Issakaba, he has contributed to several important stages of Nollywood’s development.
His work on Invasion 1897 also demonstrates his interest in preserving Nigerian history through film, while projects such as Games Men Play and Rant Queens show his range across different genres.
With Issakaba: The Return scheduled for release in November 2026, Imasuen is revisiting one of the productions most closely associated with his career. His continued involvement in filmmaking, film education and cultural storytelling remains a defining part of his directing legacy.
